Some rebel Trinamool MLAs want Mamata as supreme leader, not advisor

Key points

• A day after 58 MLAs of the Trinamool Congress signed a letter nominating expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, defying party chairperson Mamata Banerjee, some of the rebel MLAs on Thursday (June 4, 2026) were seen warming to the former Chief Minister.
• About 20 of the rebel MLAs met in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and a few of them said that Ms. Banerjee remains their “supreme leader”.
• Speaking to the media after being appointed LoP, Mr. Ritabrata had said on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) that he wants Ms. Banerjee as the “chief advisor” of the Trinamool Congress Legislature party.
• “Mamata Banerjee is the supreme leader not advisor,” Trinamool MLA from Panchla, Gulshan Mullick, said.
• Sangita Roy Basunia, the Trinamool MLA from Sitai, spoke in a similar vein and said that Ms. Banerjee remains the undisputed leader of the party....